Water Circulation

[scottca]

Hi All,

I am just wondering how much circulation I should have in a planted tank. I have a Fluval Vicenza 180, now that my tank is quite heavily planted I appear to be getting some dead spots - I have mainly identified this as my Co2 diffuser bubbles are being blown accross to the left hand side of the tank, then resting on the surface as small bubbles, they are then collecting and not really circulating around the tank.

Is it ok if the CO2 bubbles hit the surface and not "break" - will these still be absorbed or are they simply wasted?

How much circulation should a heavy planted tank have, thinking Ill just add a powerhead and point it so the water is moving in a circle around the tank, is that ok for the fish / plants?

Regards,

Craig

 

[aaronnorth]

aim for 10x turnover (1800l/ph pump) needed for your tank. CO2 will never 100% fully dissolve, you may notice that as they pass through the water they shrink a little. As long as you keep them in the water for as long as you can then it will be fine, they dont have to come into contact with plants. Most of my bubbles rest on the surface too.

 

[scottca]

Thanks Aaron,

So I should get a powerhead / pump that is 10x - Where is the best place to position it, oposite side of the Filter outlet at the end of my tank?

 

[aaronnorth]

anywhere, just as long as the outflow is positioned so it hits the bubbles and sends them all over.

 

[scottca]

Cool thanks, Just looking on the web now for one thats 1800 l/h - So ill move my diffuser away from my filter outlet and ill use the new powerhead / pump instead.

I was looking at making a small internal reactor like this..

http/www.barrreport.com/articles/72-venturi-design-6.html

However was wondering if I could just put my Co2 pipe straight into the powerheads airpipe connection? would that be just as efficient as a diffuser being blown by the powerhead?

 

[aaronnorth]

yes that will work, take a look here:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?s=&amp...t&p=1944009